Program Officer, Jewish Education & Engagement

About Crown Family Philanthropies

Crown Family Philanthropies (CFP) is the philanthropic division of Henry Crown and Company. CFP supports the Crown Family's philanthropic and grantmaking endeavors. It was established in 2009 to represent a variety of family grantmaking practices. The legacy of Arie and Ida Crown continues through their descendants, who are dedicated to the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam.

Crown Family Philanthropies is led by more than 50 family members across multiple generations who come together for strategic grantmaking. CFP is committed to building a vibrant, pluralistic Jewish community with diverse opportunities for individuals and families to deepen their Jewish identity and connect with the community.

About the Jewish Giving Program

The CFP Jewish and Israel Giving area is committed to building a vibrant, pluralistic Jewish community with diverse opportunities for individuals and families to deepen their Jewish identity and their connectivity to the community. The portfolio focuses on the following areas:

• Education: Ensuring a range of pluralistic educational pathways to enhance Jewish identity and relationship with Israel.
• Experiences: Supporting intentional, "deep" experiences that promote Jewish identity formation and meaningful relationships with Jewish peers.
• Strong Dynamic Sector: Investing in leadership development, innovation, capacity building, and research & evaluation to meet the evolving needs of the Jewish community.
• Antisemitism/Anti-Hate: Supporting education, training, advocacy, bridge-building, and security to combat hate and antisemitism and secure the Jewish community.
• Health and Human Services: Care for the needs of the Chicago Jewish community and beyond through access to mental health, wellness, food, medical care, and inclusion services.
• In addition, CFP is committed to a successful Israel through its grantmaking in Israel, including supporting recovery from the wars and focusing on ensuring pathways for underrepresented groups in Israel to have equal access to the high-tech sector.

Why Work for Us?

Henry Crown and Company (HCC) is a Chicago-based, privately-held operation - not a 501(c)(3) - that manages business interests and coordinates investments falling into four broadly-defined categories: publicly-traded securities, real estate, investment funds, and privately held operating companies. We are a private enterprise with more than a 100-year legacy and track record of financial success, supporting our communities, and taking care of our employees. We plan strategically with a long-term time horizon and an integrated approach to access superior opportunities and optimize financial results. Integrity, collaboration, and dedication are cornerstones of our workplace culture that create rewarding professional experiences.

Position Description

CFP seeks a Program Officer with at least ten years' experience in philanthropic, non-profit, or for-profit work with significant engagement in the Jewish communal sector. The ideal candidate will have practical expertise and an authentic interest in and passion for building a robust pluralistic Jewish community and a successful Israel. Successful candidates will demonstrate a natural intellectual curiosity and appetite for learning, the technical and project management skills to oversee grantmaking operations and program development, a strategic lens toward building and implementing successful community-focused programs, strong relationship development experience, and the drive and talent to provide thought leadership in the Jewish ecosystem.

Responsibilities

Planning and Strategy:

• Work with the Jewish and Israel Giving Team (Committee Co-Chairs, Director, and CFP and Jewish Federation teams) to develop strategy and goals, guide direction of the portfolio, develop grant recommendations, assess current grant initiatives, and coordinate learning opportunities aligned with the lead pursuit strategic framework.
• Participate and, when appropriate, lead effective, dynamic Committee meetings.
• Drive program development and expansion and identify opportunities to enhance engagement in Chicago’s Jewish ecosystem, working collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain an understanding of regularly shifting issues in the field in order to inform trustees and facilitate their decision-making.
• Identify and bring in experts around specific questions to inform strategic impact and educate the Committee and Board.
• Build and maintain deep relationships with diverse stakeholders, working closely with grantees, funders and other external stakeholders to maximize impact on systems change.

Grantmaking:

• Utilize best practices and collaborate with other funders on field-wide activities that build on Committee strategies.
• Manage grant portfolios, develop issue area expertise, and monitor emerging developments in the field.
• Research issues of interest and maintain current understanding of trends related to the work of the Jewish and Israel Giving Committee and the Foundation.
• Based on research results and the Foundation’s strategic initiatives, identify, prepare, and present grant dockets to the Committee consistent with the lead pursuit framework.
• Analyze nonprofit organizations' financial statements and operational conditions to determine organizational strength and effectiveness.
• Formulate recommendations for grant size and term.
• Lead analyses on grantee organizations and grant outcomes.
• Lead the design of data collection tools and the development of narrative and oral presentations resulting from analysis.
• Develop frameworks to evaluate impact of grants and maintain a dashboard to assess impact of lead pursuit strategies.
• Cultivate and foster thoughtful partnership relationships with grantees.
• Plan and conduct site visits as appropriate, representing CFP to candidate organizations and grantees.
• Act as primary point of contact for committee grantees.
• Lead the preparation of materials for Committee meetings, including grant summaries, progress reports, grant dockets, budget materials, meeting materials and minutes, and additional content as assigned.

Leadership

• Serve as key staff contact for the Jewish and Israel Giving Committee, including as primary contact for select grants.
• Support and mentor senior program analyst and analyst, including guidance on ongoing professional development.
• Identify areas of possible cross-collaboration with the Foundation’s other issue areas.
• Serve as an active participant and leader in relevant conversations and associations at the local and national level.

Qualifications

• A college degree is required; MBA or commensurate experience preferred.
• Minimum 10–12 years in philanthropic, non-profit, or for-profit work with significant engagement in the Jewish communal sector (professional, volunteer, and/or Board experience).
• Ability to conceive and execute strategy and align tactical needs creatively and effectively.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of issues related to the Chicago and national Jewish community.
• Entrepreneurial spirit; ability and inclination to think creatively, explore opportunities, and puzzle out solutions with teammates.
• Highly collaborative team player who enjoys engaging with colleagues.
• Experienced in detailed project management.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including ability to listen and synthesize multiple inputs with sensitivity, diplomacy and professionalism.
• Superb organizational skills, including ability to prioritize agendas and manage conflicting needs.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Growth mindset with eagerness to receive feedback and seek opportunities to grow.
• Demonstrated ability to act with humility, sensitivity, and discretion.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to respond flexibly to shifting priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Pay and Benefits

The Starting Salary Range: $120k-150k. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location. To see an overview of all our benefits please go to our career portal here.